London magistrate orders Assange’s extradition to Sweden
24 Feb 2011
A British magistrate has ordered WikiLeaks founder and anti-establishment crusader, Julian Assange, to be extradited to Sweden to face allegations of sexual assault, but the Australian expatriate who resides in Britain will appeal the decision before a higher court.
The 39-year-old Assange was confined to a London court complex on Thursday after chief magistrate Howard Riddle gave his ruling without deciding on bail. So far Assange has been residing on a supervised basis with the police in full knowledge of his whereabouts.
"I have specifically considered whether the physical or mental condition of the defendant is such that it would be unjust or oppressive to extradite him," judge Riddle said.
"In fact I am satisfied that extradition is compatible with the defendant's convention rights; I must order that Mr Assange be extradited to Sweden."
Assange has emphatically denied allegations that in August 2010, on separate occasions, he sexually assaulted one woman and raped another. He has said the sex was consensual.
His lawyers have opposed moves to have him extradited to Sweden, saying the claims are politically motivated in light of Assanage's career in exposing secret government documents which are published on his controversial website, WikiLeaks.
